Lonato
| Lonato del Garda | |
|---|---|
| Comune | |
| Città di Lonato del Garda | |
Lonato at sunset
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 Lonato del Garda
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| Coordinates: 45°28′N 10°29′E / 45.467°N 10.483°ECoordinates: 45°28′N 10°29′E / 45.467°N 10.483°E | |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Lombardy |
| Province / Metropolitan city | Brescia (BS) |
| Frazioni | Esenta, Sedena, Malocco, Castelvenzago, Campagna, Barcuzzi, Lido, Madonna della Scoperta, Centenaro |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Roberto Tardani |
| Area | |
| • Total | 70 km2 (30 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 170 m (560 ft) |
| Population (2011) | |
| • Total | 15,919 |
| • Density | 230/km2 (590/sq mi) |
| Demonym(s) | Lonatesi |
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) |
| • Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) |
| Postal code | 25017 |
| Dialing code | 030 |
| Patron saint | John the Baptist |
| Saint day | 24 June |
| Website | Official website |
Lonato del Garda (before 1 July 2007 Lonato) is a town and comune in the province of Brescia, in Lombardy, Italy. Lonato is located in the middle of northern Italy, about halfway between Milan and Venice, on the southwest shore of Lake Garda, the biggest lake in Italy.
Neighbouring communes are Castiglione delle Stiviere, Desenzano del Garda, Calcinato, Bedizzole, Calvagese della Riviera, Padenghe sul Garda, Pozzolengo, Montichiari, Solferino. The town is a holiday destination due to its scenic lakeside location about 5 kilometres (3 mi) from the lake) and its numerous historical and artistic monuments and museums, prehistoric sites (pile dwellings), Roman ruins, Medieval castle, Baroque churches and modern museums.
The town lies on the landscape of Morenic Hill, on the southwest side of Lake Garda. Here the first human settlements appeared in the Bronze Age on pile dwellings, as testified by archaeological findings in the areas of Polada and Lavagnone. The name Lonato is believed from some scholars to derive from the Celtic term “Lona” meaning little lake.
In the imperial Roman time, Lonato was crossed by the Basilica Emilia way, which used to connect Gallia with Aquileia. Roman ruins were found in the area of Monte Mario and Pozzo (Waiting for Godot).
The town was destroyed in the year 909 by the Hungarians, after which a new castle was built and the town fortified. In the following centuries Lonato was destroyed and rebuilt various times. In 1512 King Louis XII of France established his headquarters here when he invaded Italy. In 1516 Lonato become part of the Venetian Republic, until Napoleon arrived in 1796, when he fought and beat the Austrians during the first Italian campaign. In 1859 the town was part of the Italian Kingdom. During World War I the “basso Garda” defensive line was built, while in World War II it was a training centre for the X MAS.
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Wikipedia